I heard “The Saint Bernards” can visit. How do I schedule a visit to my work or to a school, senior home, hospital, etc.?

Kerry’s Saint Bernards are all trained as Service K9s. Currently working or in active training. They have all already visited numerous job sites, schools, senior homes, hospitals, and government facilities just to make humans happy! If you would like to set up a visit, please feel free to reach out to Kerry - 615.626.2826 or email kerry@k9comfortpaws.com

Is someone with my dog at all times during boarding?

During boarding, day care, and training your dog will have a kennel technician and or trainer on site at all times during rotation hours. (exceptions). When they are on rotation outside of their kennels or kennel suite, a kennel technician is with them at all times. During our travel program, from the time your dog is given to our trainer at the departing airport or hotel to the time you receive your dog, he/she is with the trainer at ALL times and NEVER left alone. On Occasion there are exceptions where the kennel in Carthage is not actively staffed while dogs are boarding for short periods of time. This may be during shift change, the kennel may not be staffed for up to four hours depending on operational needs. The overnight Kennel technician is on staff between the hours of 6:00pm and 9:00pm and 3:00am and 7:00am. However, while boarding dogs are on site, overnight kennel technicians are staffed for rotation and the safety and comfort of your dogs stay. Please keep in mind, the overnight Kennel Trainer is also a volunteer firefighter and may be called out for an emergency, during this time another staff member may take over shift depending on the circumstances of the on call emergency needs. We definitely do our best to accommodate the safety and comfort of your dogs stay and our community.

As my dogs owner, what are my responsibilities when boarding my dog at K9 Comfort Paws? While we would like to believe that our dogs will be on their best behavior outside of our presence, accidents do happen as well as damages. Boarding dogs can become anxious and destructive when in unfamiliar places, which is why we have the consistent rotation in places if your dog has never stayed at a boarding facility, is not used to being contained in small(er) spaces that they have at home, are not crate trained, they may experience anxiety or become hyper sensitive. This sometimes causes your dog to behave in ways you may never expect. Your responsible for any damage caused to our facility due to your dogs behavior not related to any negligence on our behalf. You are responsible for any injuries caused by your dogs behavior not related to any negligence on our behalf. We have had clients in the past require us to use their harness for their dog when taking them outside and because of incidents that have happened at other facilities in our area and within our own facility, we use only our slip lead when walking your dog outside to our dog park. It is Very Important that as your dogs owner, you advise us of any behavioral issues or concerns when boarding your dog. Withholding behavior issues, past boarding experiences, etc. is negligence on your part and does not keep your dog safe and comfortable while in our care. Please be transparent, we want to provide the best care and comfort possible for your dog and its needs

Are there cameras on site at the Carthage Facility?

Yes! There are surveillance cameras on site at our Carthage facility to ensure that your dogs are properly being taken care of. TN law does not allow us to provide you with audio footage of our facility and because of that we cannot provide you with live feeds of your dogs stay However, if at any time you would like us to record moments of your dogs stay, please send us a text message (615.626.2826) and we will take a live clip of your dogs in their kennel suite or kennel, if being given a bath, we can take a clip at that time, or if in the day room we can take a clip of their time in these spaces. This will all depend on the time of their rotation of where in the facility they are at the requested time of a clip.

Are the dogs in small cages when boarding?

No. We do not have cages nor do we have wire crates. Only steel kennels are used for your dogs stay, boarding and or training. We have kennels in separate Kennel Rooms with extra large kennels and large kennels. Two sizes to fit the comfort of your dog and or request (upon availability). Our Extra Large Kennel is 4’x4’x4’ and our Large Kennel is 45”x29.5”x35”. All kennels are Alloy Steel. K9 Comfort Paws also has private suites available. There are no kennels inside private suites, your dog is invited to bring its “own comforts of home.”

Do you have cameras at your facility? Are my dogs secure at all times?

Yes! Every Kennel room has cameras on surveillance at all times. The day care room also has a camera. Your dogs are safe and secure at all times. We also have ADT alarm security with camera surveillance on our parking and backside of the facility monitoring at all times. Fire, carbon monoxide, and smoke detection is monitored by ADT as well as our onsite Kennel Technicians.

How often are my dogs taken outside during grooming, boarding, training?

Upon request, your dogs may be taken outside as often as you’d like. But to keep them as comfortable as possible away from home they are taken out and their kennels are cleaned and sanitized every two hours throughout the day (10:30am to 6:00pm) and every four hours throughout the night (6:00pm to 10:30am). This is subject to change based on operational needs and the needs of your dog.

Do my dogs have access to water at all times during boarding and grooming?

Unless you specifically request that water be withheld from your dogs kennel or suite, your dog will have access to clean water (changed every hour or as needed) at all times. Clean water is also available when your dog is taken outside to the dog park play area.

What kind of training do you offer?

Training includes Behavioral Training, Service of PTSD, Psychiatric, and Balance Assistance training.  Handler training is included with all training. Once completed, your K9 will be an AKC Certified Canine Good Citizen, AKC Canine Temperament Tested, and certified as a trained service K9. We focus on exposure training, your dog will receive as much exposure training as you deemed fit for your needs in your K9.

Do you want to visit public places like amusement parks, shopping centers, schools, etc? Do you need your dog service K9 certified for rental properties, associations, etc.? Our training certifies your dog as a Service K9 that follows all ADA rules and regulations and all U.S. Laws.

How many pets do you travel with at a time? (During our flight training program)

Your dog will travel from airport to airport safely and comfortably. You are the only client booked for service on the requested date. This service will not be for everyone. While we cater to all breed and size dogs, this service is focused on families wanting to stay connected to their pets with as limited time apart as possible. Unless you book with more than one pet, your dog will be the only in-flight passenger with a specialized trainer.

Am I required to fly with my dog?

No. You are NOT required to fly with us, this is just an option if you would like to. 

Can I fly with my dog?

YES.  Kerry is a trainer that can certify your dog to fly and train you as a handler of your dog. If flying with your dog is something you have always wanted to do, we can make that happen.  We are approved K9 task trainers and approved specifically with United, American, and Delta airlines. Training is separate, however; we can arrange to be on a specified flight with your K9 at your request.

Where will my dog be during the flight?

Large breed dogs will fly inside the cabin of the aircraft and not inside of a kennel or cargo. Also, most of our travels are with families who wish to travel with their dogs/cats on the same flight. We have also traveled with 9 cats along with their family from New York to San Francisco. Our main priority is for a safe, comfortable, and reliable service for your pet in the most efficient way possible, which like for most of us is air travel. There are behavior requirements, please read below for further information. Puppies are always transported inside a kennel/carrier. All dogs flying in the cabin of the aircraft will be trained or “in training” service K9s.

Do you provide virtual training?

Yes! We provide virtual training for both yourself as the handler and your dog as a passenger for in-cabin commercial flying, if this is something you may be interested in we can discuss training separately.

Do you fly domestically and internationally?

Yes! Kerry has experience in training and traveling all over the world with her own medical service K9 Saint Bernard, Ireland and search and rescue K9 Saint Bernard, Brekken.

What does your pricing entail in regards to the inflight service provided?

Our service is choosing not to have your dog or cat transported with other animals, spending hours in a kennel on the road without interpersonal connection, and having your dog, cat, kitten, or puppy, with a stranger for more than 5-15 hours. None of the dogs, cats, puppies, or kittens are traveling more than 5-15 hours before reaching their final destination. Each and every pet deserves an individualized schedule.

While our service may not be your least expensive option, your pet will be picked up and delivered the same day (airport to airport). You are not paying just for shipment, you are paying for extensive knowledge in air transportation, training, and experience. With today’s airfare pricing at its peak (October through January), transport pricing estimates depend on size of your dog/cat, number of pets, timing, flight schedule, and distance.

Are there behavioral requirements for my pet I need to know about for the inflight training experience?

Yes. Your pup should be well behaved. For in-cabin commercial travel, your dog must walk well on a leash. Your pup does not have to heal, but cannot pull uncontrollably. They must be potty trained (unless this is a new puppy), must NOT show ANY signs of aggression toward strangers or other dogs. Must not continuously, aggressively bark.  Basic obedience training is necessary (can be provided prior to flight).

We are service K9 trainers for Government, Private Citizen, Military, and service K9s and to keep up with training during down time, we use our skills to work with all breeds on commercial flights for citizen owners.  We are approved to fly with all breed and size dogs. We can definitely be on the same flight and if flying with your dog is something you’d like to do on a regular basis, we offer training so you may fly with your dog as well on future flights. 

Are there any other important items to note for the inflight training program?

Yes! We believe in full transparency. Here are some other things to keep in mind…

• We specialize in large breed dogs that do not fit in an airline approved pet in cabin carrier but do require they are well behaved to comfortably sit or lay down on the floor of the aircraft. 

• For large breed dogs additional seating is necessary depending on the size of your dog. 

• We also specialize in air transportation of kittens and cats, as well as puppies; specifically ones that need to get to their destination in the same day.